&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Permocalculus iagifuensis&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; sp. nov.: A new Miocene gymnocodiacean alga from Papua New Guinea

M D Simmons,M J Johnston

doi:10.1144/jm.9.2.239

Abstract

Abstract. Permocalculus iagifuensis, a new species of gymnocodiacean alga is described from the Miocene of the Darai Limestone Formation of Papua New Guinea. The discovery of this species greatly extends the range of gymnocodiacean algae, which previously had only been confidently recorded from the Permian and Cretaceous. It also suggests an evolutionary link to the Recent genus Galaxaura (order Nemalionales; family Chaetangiaceae), which is the only extant alga bearing a similarity to the Gymnocodiaceae. Alternatively, a closer relationship to the green udoteacean algae (e.g. Halimeda) is considered. The microfauna and other microflora associated with this new species are briefly described.

Highlights

The Darai Limestone Formation (Late Oligocene-Middle/LateMiocene)of Papua New Guinea contains abundant and diverse calcareous algae
1984)(Early Miocene= biozones N6-N7 of Blow, 1969), it was noted that gymnocodiacean algae were present
These were referred to a new species of the genus

Summary

Papua New Guinea

M.D. SIMMONS & M.J. JOHNSTON Exploration Technology Branch, BP Research Centre, Chertsey Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, TW 16 7LN, United Kingdom. ABSTRACT -Pwmocu/c.u/usiagjfuensis, a new speciesof gymnocodiaceanalga is described from the Miocene of the Darai Limestone Formation of Papua f!ew Guinea.The discovery of this species greatly extends the range of gymnocodiacean algae, which previously had only been confidently recorded from the Permian and Cretaceous.It suggests an evolutionary link to the Recent genus Cu/uxuu~.u(order Nemalionales; family Chaetangiaceae), which is the only extant alga bearing ;I similarity to the Gymnocodiaceae. Alternatively,a closer relationship to the green udoteacean algae (e.g.Halimeda) is considered. The microfauna and other microfloraassociated with this new species are briefly described

INTRODUCTION

CHlM FORMATION